AWD Pro from Action Target

Action Target released several new products in recent months that can enhance the shooting and training experience. One is called the AWD Pro.

The AWD, or All Wheel Drive, Pro is a target retriever designed for use on an indoor range. Instead of being a basic forward and backward toggle switch, this system wirelessly controls the target hanger through a mounted touch screen interface.

The control screen allows the shooter to set up various target behaviors and timing drills. For example, the target may be turned 90˚ away from the shooter, then at a random time interval, turn to face the shooter for a brief period of time. To further mix things up, the targets can be programmed to only partially turn or even turn all the way around. Part of the AWD Pro system are pre-designed self-defense programs that might help you improve shooting skills under pressure.

Precise distances can be programed into the controls. This could come in handy for friendly competitions or training for a competition where you know what the precise distances will be. Conveniently, the AWD Pro actually has several games built into the system that you can use with your friends.

Lighting can also be controlled by the AWD Pro. Not only can varying light levels be programmed, but flashes of light replicating a muzzle flash or even police car strobe lights can be added to meet your training needs.

If you are a range owner, you might be concerned about the added cost of such a system. Research done by Action target shows that shooters using this system:

That would be easy to do with a piece of cardboard, and as long as the sides would be intact, it would work (center could be shot out). In my country, practically all targets are stiff 2mm cardboard, which would be ideal for this kind of setup but for some reason, none of the commercial indoor ranges have any individual target systems, not even the old cable setup.

Christian Hedegaard-Schou

My local range has an Action Target system. I’m going to talk to them about an upgrade 🙂

Jake Bullard

My local range has a similar setup that does most of this. It’s pretty cool. But honestly most people, myself included, never use it. That said it doesn’t have a touchscreen. Instead there are a series of complex codes to learn and remember so I think I would use this more.

FLdeepdiver

90% will shoot faster and less accurately due to “drill” programming, leading to increased range maintenance costs that eventually gets passed on to the customer.

My Police Department uses a similar system by a competitor. The system has dramatically improved our firearms program. We now have no light, low light, and alternate light (police car lights, etc.) included into our training and qualification rounds.

Instead of the range master yelling “time” when a timed string of fire is completed, the targets turn away – no more cheating with a slightly late shot by officers less proficient with their firearms. We have 10 target lanes, with an additional “runner” behind those target controls. The individually programmed targets provides our officers a real-life scenario like situation with shoot/no-shoot targets appearing at random and only facing for specified durations of time. The runner is particularly helpful and challenging as an officer must identify whether it is a shoot/no-shoot target, but then must also realize they may not be able to engage a shoot target if the runner is getting close. Because a string of fire can include all 10 targets, officers must also evaluate their cover and concealment, just like a real-life shooting. Movement of this nature (moving between barricades, changing shooting position – standing, kneeling, sitting, prone) during a course of fire creates muscle memory of skills needed to survive a real-life shooting. Just outstanding.

However, like anything wireless these systems do have their technical glitches. Trying to control multiple targets, doing multiple functions, during various times can sometimes overwhelm the wireless communications. Not always, or even frequently, but enough to remind you of the system’s limitations.

Even with the limitations, these systems are by far superior to ranges where the target is always faced and the only movement is forward or backward.

Secundius

Does Anyone know whether or not the AWD Pro is Handicapped Friendly? I can’t seem to Find ANY Information on IF IT IS…